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2013 mitsubishi lancer Reviews and News

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer

By
Automobile Magazine
- 01/31/2013

New For 2013

The all-wheel-drive Lancer SE model gains new aluminum wheels and an optional premium package, which includes a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, soft-touch door trim, and an upgraded audio system.

Overview

The Lancer Evolution is essentially unchanged for the 2013 model year, meaning it remains a brash, 291-hp rally weapon—and the lone enthusiast model in Mitsubishi’s portfolio. All-wheel drive isn’t restricted to the top-tier Evo range. Mitsubishi added all-wheel drive to its midrange Lancer SE trim last year. Its 2.4-liter in-line four and CVT might not set the heart aflutter, but buyers looking for an Evo lite should enjoy the turbocharged Lancer Ralliart, which boasts 237 hp, an upgraded all-wheel-drive system with limited slip front and rear differentials, and an active center diff. Mitsubishi does a decent job of infusing some of the Evo’s spirit across the Lancer portfolio; as a result, even front-wheel-drive models feel taut, sharp, and fairly tactile. We’d elect to skip the 2.0-liter engine in the DE and the ES; the 2.4-liter four-banger found in the SE and the GTS provides a fair amount of torque and is rather peppy. Refinement continues to be the Lancer’s Achilles’ heel, even in Evo form. New color cluster displays, fortified audio systems, and leather-wrapped steering wheels are nice, but they don’t hide the fact that the Lancer’s interior materials are surprisingly basic and road noise is considerable. Still, for buyers wanting a little fun at an affordable price, the Lancer remains an interesting option.

Safety

Front, side, side curtain, and driver’s knee air bags; ABS; a tire-pressure monitoring system; and stability and traction control are standard, as is an antitheft alarm system on ES, SE, GTS, Ralliart, and Evolution models.

You'll like:

Sharp handling, amazing grip

AWD optional on SE

Evo is a rally car for the street

You won't like:

Hard interior plastics

Excessive wind and road noise

Key Competitors For The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer

In an unlikely alliance, Japanese automaker Mitsubishi will join forces with Renault-Nissan to introduce two new Mitsubishi-branded sedan models, one of which will be sold in the United States and Canada. Primed to enter the mid-size segment against competitors like the Chevrolet Malibu, Mitsubishi’s new mid-size will be built on a Renault-based platform, although no announcement has been made specifying any additional details.

Mitsubishi has released new images of the Concept G4, a car whose name stands for global four-door sedan. Debuting at the Shanghai auto show later this month, the G4 could preview a Mirage sedan to follow the hatch that debuted in New York.

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